Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Doug Gore is all smiles as he proudly displays his winning trophy. Gore now holds the Caribbean Champion Driver's title. Sharing the moment are Samantha Rae (right) and Tiffany Rae, members of the Jamaican contingent to the Championship Meet in Guyana.- Contributed

It was a carnival-like atmosphere for the 'Reggae Racers' in Guyana last Sunday, when Jamaica's Doug 'Hollywood' Gore stunned the over 14,000 motorsport fans at the South Dakota race track to snatched the Caribbean Champion Driver's title.

"This was something that I always dream about. I wanted to win this trophy and take it back home," said a smiling Gore, during a brief interview with Automotives on Friday.

leading the tables

He flew in to Guyana, leading the tables on 28 points, following the first leg of the championship, held here in April. His closest rival was Guyana's top driver, Mark Vieira, who was on 12 points.

"I was aware that for me to win the championship, I must finish in the top three of the three championship events," said Gore.

He won the first of the three races. His Mitsubishi Evolution then developed mechanical problems in the second race, but he managed to held off his fellow countryman, Peter Rae, to take third place.

After changing the gear box for the third and final event, Gore's car got stucked in third gear. He had to drove his heart out to finish fifth, ensuring that he had enough points to crown himself champion.

This is the second time that Jamaica was winning the regional title. Up to last Sunday, Jamaica's David Summerbell was the defending champion he demonstrated that he was a good competitor.

"The car did not run the way we had expected it to run, but it was a great moment, lots of excitement, the hospitality was good and there was huge crowd support," said Summerbell, who is now in the planning stage for next year.

The championship was contested by Guyana and Jamaica, but at last Sunday's race meet, over six countries and some 120 cars participated in the event. Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, United States and Canada and the host country were the contestants.

"It was a great day for me. I did not broke down," said Peter Rae, who drove the New York Brake RX7 Mazda.